Automatic container-filler valve

ABSTRACT

An electromechanical apparatus is disclosed for filling containers and shutting off automatically when the container is filled. The valve does not seal on the container to be filled and has an air-operated slide tip that can move up and down and which moves up as the level of the fluid rises to a predetermined level. The valve dribble-finishes the fill, instead of snapping shut, and reopens to meter fill slowly at the end of the fill cycle, thereby eliminating error resulting from premature shutoff which is ordinarily caused by roiling fluid, entrained air or surface suds.

United States Patent Inventor Herman Laub,111

244 N. San Marino Ave., San Gabriel, Calif. 91775 App]. No. 876,209

Filed Dec. 1, 1969 Patented July 27, 1971 Continuation of applicationSer. No. 566,906, July 18, 1966, now abandoned Whichis a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 809,472, Mar. 13, 1969, now abandoned.

AUTOMATIC CONTAINER-FILLER VALVE 43 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl 141/46, 33/209,137/392,141/l28,141/198,141/351, 200/152, 277/59lnLCL ..B65b 31/06 Field ofsearch 33/209,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 503,149 8/1893 Lewis 33/2092,138,380 11/1938 Killman etaL. 141/215 2,363,123 11/1944 Franckl41/215X 2,804,692 9/ l 957 Karstens. 33/209 3,269,023 8/1966 Calkins33/209 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. AttorneyMarvin JabinABSTRACT: An electromechanical apparatus is disclosed for fillingcontainers and shutting off automatically when the con- PATENTEU JUL 2 7Ian lmlll INVENTOR.

fdfi

AUTOMATIC CONTAINER-FILLER VALVE The present invention is a continuationof fa previously copending application entitled Automatic ContainerFiller Valve, Ser. No. 566,906, filed in the name of the same inventoron July 18, 1966, now abandoned, which was a continuation of a copendingapplication entitled Automatic Container Filler Valve, Ser. No. 809,472,filed in the name of the same inventor on Mar. 13, 1969, now abandoned.

A mechanical valve can be defined as any device by which the flow ofliquid, air or other gas, or loose material in bulk, may be started,stopped, or regulated by a movable part which opens or obstructspassage. Valves have long been used in conjunction with automaticbottle-filling equipment for controlling the flow of the contents withwhich the bottle or other container is being filled.

Valves presently available are unsatisfactory in that they snap shut anddo not reopen to meter fill slowly at the finish of the fill cycle.Roiling fluid, entrained air or surface suds mislead presently usedautomatic valves and they shut off prematurely and cannot reopen tocorrect for such low fill error. Suds blowing out the neck also misleadan airblowing type of existing automatic valve, requiring the use ofextremely slow fill to avoid making any suds.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a novelvalve.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a valve forautomatically filling containers and shutting off when the contents ofthe container reach a predetermined level.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide abottle-filling valve which automatically shuts off unless an unfilledbottle is in place.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a valve forfilling unsealedcontainers and thereby to eliminate bulging orcollapsing of flexible containers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel valvefor dribble-finishing for both speed and, in addition, accuracy.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, anautomatic container-filler valve comprises an electromechanical devicethat does not seal on the container to be filled and which includes amanometer in conjunction with an electrolyte and electrodes which sensefluid entering the tip of the valve, and an air-operated slide-tipvalve. With the valve in the normal position without a container orbottle under it to be filled, a movable electrode is in the electrolyte,and current passes through a switch and activates the coil of athree-way solenoid air valve, thereby holding the filling valve in itsexhaust condition with respect to an air cylinder.

When a container is placed under the filling valve, the lip of the mountof the container for es a bar on the side of the valve to raise themovable electrode, breaking the electrical contact and deactivating thesolenoid coil, and allowing pressurized air to reach a piston. Airpressure on the valve piston then forces the valve tip downward andopens the valve. The fluid which is to fill the container is underpressure and squirts out side holes in the valve tip and runs down theside of the container until the fluid reaches a predetermined level.

When the fluid enters an inverted cup on the valve tip, air is forced upthrough a tube to the manometer. The manometer legs shift until theelectrolyte covers the tip of the electrode which had moved, andelectrical contact is reestablished, which causes the air pressure onthe piston to exhaust and the valve tip to be withdrawn from the fluidlevel. As soon as the valve tip is withdrawn, the operation is reversedand several more squirts of fluid will be made, until the valve tip canno FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a valve according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the manometer of FIG. I in detail.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the electrical switch and sole noid ofFIG. 1.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows valve 11 coupled to solenoidair valve 13 by means of air inlet conduit 15. Switch 17 is mounted uponsolenoid 13, to which air is supplied through conduit 19 and air needlevalve 20. The fluid that is to fill the bottles is supplied to valve 11through fluid inlet conduit 21, and exits through nozzle 25.

Bottle sensing bar 31 is affixed to shaft 33 by setscrew 35, and collar37, which serves as an electrode stop, is affixed to shaft 33 bysetscrew 39. Shaft 33 slidably passes through body member 41 of valve11, and protrudes through the top thereof. The upper end 43 of shaft 33and the upper extension 45 of movable electrode 47 are both screwed intoand bolted to stop bar'49, which is electrically connected to switch 17by conductor 51 and to electrode 47, and which also serves an electrodestop.

The upper end 55 of manometer 57 is coupled to the upper end 59 ofcentral tube 61 by hose 63. Stationary electrode 65 of manometer 57 iselectrically connected to switch 17 by conductor 67. Collar 71 ismounted upon central tube 61 and limits the downward motion thereof whenit abuts mounting plate 73 on the top of body member 41.

FIG. 2 shows the described valve more clearly, especially the internalconstruction thereof. Central tube 61 passes through mounting plate 73and O-ring 75 in body member 41 into chamber or cylinder 77. Piston 81is soldered or welded to tube 61, which passes through it. Compressionspring 83 about tube 61 abuts against retaining shoulder 85 and aids thefluid pressure within the lower portion of cylinder 77 in forcing piston81, and hence tube 61, upward. Air is free to enter the upper portion ofcylinder 77, i.e., above piston 81, through air inlet conduit 15. Fluidis free to enter the lower portion of cylinder 77, i.e., below piston81, through fluid inlet conduit 21. O-rings 87 and 89, separated bygrease vent 91, seal piston 81 to the walls of cylinder 77, so as toprevent the passage of air downward past piston 81, or the passage offluid upward past piston 81.

The lower extremity of cylinder 77 opens into chamber 93 within nozzle25. Spout 95 is the lowest extremity of nozzle 25. The lower end 97 ofcentral tube 61 is screwed into spout 95. Lower end 97 opens intochamber 99.

The valve as shown in FIG. 2 is in the normally closed condition, inwhich case spring 83 has pushed piston 81, and consequently spout 95,upward until O-ring 101 abuts against the lower end 103 of sleeve 104 ofnozzle 25, and prevents the further flow of fluid out of nozzle 25. FIG.2 shows the condi tion of the valve 11 after it has just been insertedwithin the container 105, which can be a bottle or an F-style can. Mouth107 of container abuts against bottle sensing bar 31, and as valve 11 isautomatically lowered further into container 105, shaft 33 will beraised, until electrode 47 is withdrawn from the electrolyte and theelectrical circuit is opened.

FIG. 3 shows how when shaft 33 is raised, stop bar 49 and electrode 47are also raised. The electric circuit is broken or opened when electrode47 is lifted completely out of contact with electrolytic solution 109,which is approximately a 5 percent solution of phosphoric acid, by wayof example only.

FIG. 4 shows, in schematic form, how the lifting of electrode 47 out ofelectrolytic solution 109 opens the control circuit and deenergizes coil113 of switch 17, thereby causing contact 115 of switch 17 to open, andremoving the power from coil 117 of three-way solenoid 13. As long ascoil 117 is energized, plunger 119 remains in the position shown in FIG.4 and prevents the air supplied to needle valve 20 by an air compressorfrom passing through the solenoid.

When the coil 117 is deenergized, compression spring 120 forces plunger119 to move so as to allow the air from needle valve 20 to pass throughconduit 19 into solenoid 13. The new position of plunger 119 also sealsair exhaust port 121 and permits the air from needle valve 20 to passthrough solenoid 13 into chamber 77 through air-inlet conduit 15. Theair pressure within chamber or cylinder 77 increases and forces piston81 to move downward, compressing spring 83.

As piston 81 moves downward, as shown by phantom line 122, tube 61 movesdownward also, until spout 95 which is rigidly connnected theretoreaches the position shown by phantom line 123 in FIG. 2. Furtherdownward motion is prevented by collar 71 abutting against plate 73. Asa consequence of the downward movement of spout 95, lower end 103 ofsleeve 104 loses contact with O-rings 101 and 102, and the fluid whichis to fill container 105 is free to pass through inlet conduit 21 intothe lower portion of chamber 77 below piston 81, and out through thefour slanted outlet holes 124 in sleeve 125, and also out through hole126, which exits from spout 95 between O-rings 101 and 102. The needlevalve 20 is used in order to cut down the flow of air so that spout 95moves downward at the desired regulated speed, such as, by way ofexample only, about 1 inch per second.

The fluid fills the containers 105 until it reaches the top of spout 95,as represented by phantom line 127. As the fluid rises a little higher,it compresses the air within chamber 99 of spout 95, which effect istransmitted through central tube 61, hose 63, and upper end 55 ofmanometer 57, and causes the level of the electrolytic solution 109shown in FIG. 3 to fall within left leg 129 and to rise within right leg131 until it makes electrical contact with electrode 47. As soon as thecircuit through electrode 47 is closed, coil 113 of switch 17 isenergized, contact 115 of switch 17 is closed, and coil 117 of solenoid13 is energized. As a consequence, the air passing through conduit 19 iscut off, and the air within chamber 77 passes through conduit andescapes rapidly through air exhaust port 121. Needle valve 132 is usedin order to be able to control the rate at which the air escapes throughexhaust port 121.

The resulting sudden decrease in air pressure within chamber 77 permitsspring 83 to force piston 81 upward, and fluid outlet holes 124 and 126are again sealed by O-rings 101 and 102 coming in contact with sleeve104.

As spout 95 rises about the level of the contents of container 105, theelectrical circuit is broken and spout 95 again descends. As aconsequence of the relatively slow descent of spout 95 caused by needlevalve 20, spout 95 will only move downward sufi'iciently for hole oropening 126 to be exposed, and not the larger holes 124, resulting in asmall stream instead of an unrestricted flow. The described processkeeps cycling until the contents reaches the level shown by phantom line133 in FIG. 2. The result is a container filled at high speed with adribble finish for accuracy.

1f the manometer level is set so that the level of the electrolyticsolution 109 in leg 131 will be about one-eighth to one-quarter of aninch below the tip of movable electrode 47 when it is lifted out of theelectrolyte, surface suds will have little or no effect on the shutoffpoint, since they will not significantly enter the inverted cupconfiguration of chamber 99 in the tip of spout 95. Thus, the valve willsense the level of the fluid contents of the container 105 and will notbe misled by suds.

Bottle sensing bar 31 will move downward as valve 11 is withdrawn fromcontainer 105, so that electrode 47 will drop downward faster than thelevel of electrolytic solution 109 will fall. Thus, electrode 47 willmaintain contact with electrolytic solution 109 as valve 11 is withdrawnfrom container 105, and the valve 11 will remain in itsshutoffcondition.

Although switch 17 has been described as a conventional relay utilizinga coil and a set of contacts for ease of description, in practice aTRIAC silicone gate-controlled AC switch manufactured by GeneralElectric Company under the designation TRIAC 80108 has been used verysatisfactorily. The TRIAC is a bidirectional triode semiconductor switchwhich may be gate triggered from a blocking to conducting state foreither polarity of applied voltage. The device will perform most of thefunctions of two silicon-controlled rectifiers connected inverseparallel. Switch 17 is used so that sufficient power will be availablefor the operation of solenoid coil 117, while only a very small currentwill be required in the electrolyte.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in theappended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure,comprising:

a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generallyupward and downward directions,

b. filling means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from afluid source to a container and including valve means in said fluidpath, said valve means having open and closed positions, and

c. control means actuated by said fluid-level sensing means andalternately moving said tip means into its up and down positions inresponse to the level of the fluid in the container being filled, saidcontrol means opening said valve means when said valve means is closedbefore said fluid level has reached the level of said tip means in itsupward position.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including, in addition, means forpartially restricting the flow of said fluid from said valve means.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including, in addition,container-sensing means coupled to said fluid-level sending means, saidcontrol means moving said tip means downward when said container-sensingmeans senses the presence of a container in position to be filled.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said control means reopenssaid valve means when said tip means is moved above the level of saidfluid, provided said container-sensing means still senses the presenceof said container.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including, in addition, means forregulating the speed at which said tip means moves.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said valve means can bemoved into withdrawn and extended positions by said control means and isclosed when in its withdrawn position and open when in its extendedposition.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said valve means can bemoved, in addition, into a partially extended position by said controlmeans, the flow of said fluid from said valve being partially restrictedwhen said valve means is in its partially extended position.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which said tip means is an openingwhich is obstructed by said fluid when said fluid rises in saidcontainer to the level of said tip means, said fluidsensing meansoperating said control means as a consequence thereof.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said fluid-level sensingmeans includes a manometer having first and second legs, first andsecond electrodes, an electrolyte, and means for inserting said firstelectrode into said electrolyte within said first leg and for thewithdrawal thereof.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, including, in addition,container-sensing means coupled to said first electrode inserting andwithdrawing means for the operation thereof when said valve means is inposition with respect to the container to be filled.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, in which said control meansutilizes pressure means to move said valve means, and in which theoperation of said control means depends upon the position of said firstelectrode within said first leg.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, in which said pressure means is asupply of air under pressure.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, in which said filling meansincludes spout means, and in which said tip means is an opening withinsaid spout and is coupled to said second leg of said manometer.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, in which said spout means includesat least one additional opening through which said fluid is emitted whensaid valve means is opened,

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, in which said valve means can bemoved into withdrawn, extended and partially extended position by saidcontrol means, and is closed when in its withdrawn position, open whenin its extended position, and partially open when in its partiallyextended position.

16, Apparatus as defined in claim 15, including, in addition, a pistonfixedly coupled to said valve for the movement thereof, and a cylinderassociated with said piston, said pressure means being coupled to saidpiston and cylinder.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, in which said second electrode ismovable and is inserted within said electrolyte when said valve means isnot inserted within said container, and in which said control meansincludes a three-way solenoid air valve which shuts off said air supplywhen the coil of said solenoid is electrically activated, and including,in addition, switch means which activates said coil when said movableelectrode is inserted within said electrolyte.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 in which said inserting andwithdrawing means withdraws said movable electrode from said electrolytewhen said container sensing means is moved by the container to be filledas said valve means is positioned within said container, and in whichsaid solenoid permits said air to pass into said cylinder above saidpiston when said movable electrode is withdrawn from said electrolyte,thereby forcing said piston and valve means to move downward, opening"said valve means and permitting said fluid to flow from said valve andfill said container.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18, in which said filling meansincludes spout means having a pair of O-rings and at least oneadditional opening therebetween.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said filling means includesspout means having a pair of O-rings and at least one openingtherebetween.

21. Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure,comprising:

a. fluid-level sensing means including tip means and a manometer havingfirst and second legs, first and second electrodes, an electrolyte, andmeans for making and breaking, contact between said first electrode andsaid electrolyte within said first leg, said tip means being coupled toone of said legs of said manometer,

b. filling means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from afluid source to a container and including valve means in said fluidpath, said valve means having open and closed conditions and saidfilling means including spout means, said spout means including at leastone opening through which said fluid is emitted when said valve means isin its open condition, and

c. control means activated by said fluid-level sensing means and inresponse thereto either opening or closing said valve means, theoperation of said control means depending upon whether or not said firstelectrode is in contact with said electrolyte within said first leg.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21 including, in addition,container-sensing means coupled to said means for making and breakingcontact for the operation thereof when said valve means is in positionwith respect to the container to be filled.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 in which said means for making andbreaking contact between said first electrode and said electrolyteincludes means for inserting said first electrode into said electrolyteand for the Withdrawal thereof.

24. Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure,comprising:

a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generallydownward and upward directions,

b. filling means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from afluid source to a container and including valve means in said fluidpath, said valve means having open, partially restricted and closedpositions, and

. control means activated by said fluid-level sensing means and movingsaid tip means in said generally downward and upward directions inresponse to the level of the fluid in the container being filled, theflow of said fluid from said valve means being partially restricted whensaid control means has moved said tip means to a position between itsextreme downward and upward positions.

25. Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure,comprising a. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from afluid source to a container,

a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generallydownward and upward directions,

b. valve means in said fluid path having open and closed positions,

c. control means connected to said fluid-level sensing means and saidvalve means, said control means being actuated by said fluidlevelsensing means for moving said tip means in said generally downward andupward directions in response to the level of the fluid in the containerbeing filled and for controlling the operation of said valve means, and

d. restriction means in said fluid path partially restricting the flowof said fluid from said valve means when said control means has movedsaid tip means to a position in between said generally downward andupward directions.

26. Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure,comprising a. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from afluid source to a container,

a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generallydownward and upward directions,

b. valve means in said fluid path having at least open and closedpositions,

c. control means connected to said fluid level sensing means and saidvalve means, said control means being activated by said fluid-levelsensing means for moving said tip means in said generally downward andupward directions in response to the level of the fluid in the containerbeing filled and for controlling the operation of said valve means, and

d. restriction means in said fluid path partially restricting the flowof said fluid from said valve means when said control means has movedsaid tip means to a position in between said generally downward andupward directions.

27. Apparatus for filling containers, comprising a. means defining afluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container,

a. valve means in said path for regulating the supply of fluid to acontainer, said valve means having a closed position wherein no fluid issupplied to said container and having a plurality of operative positionswherein fluid is supplied to said container,

b. said apparatus including fluid-level sensing means for sensing apredetermined fluid level in said container, said sensing means beingmovable to a plurality of positions,

c. control means connected to said valve means and to said fluid-levelsensing means responsive to said fluid-level sensing means forcontrolling the positioning of said sensing means, said control meansresponding to said sensing means and causing said valve means to move atleast to its closed position upon the fluid in said container reaching apredetermined level.

28. Apparatus as in claim 27 wherein said plurality of operativepositions of said valve means includes an open position for allowing afull flow of fluid into the container being filled and a restrictedposition for allowing a restricted flow of fluid into the containerbeing filled, and

said control means causes said valve means to move to its restrictedposition upon the fluid in said container reaching a first level forproviding a final slow fill of the container, and causes said valvemeans to move to its closed position upon the fluid in said containerreaching a second higher level.

29. Apparatus as in claim 28 wherein,

said control means includes second settable valve means coupled withsaid first-named valve means for regulating the rate of movement of saidfirst valve means.

30. Apparatus in claim 27 including means responsive to the positioningof a container and the valve means in a predetermined cooperativerelationship for setting pressure responsive means of said control meansand for causing said valve means to move to a first operative position,said first operative position being an open position for rapid fill ofsaid container, and

said pressure responsive means being responsive to fluid level in thecontainer for causing said valve means to move from its first operativeposition.

31. Apparatus for filling containers with fluid, comprising,

a. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluidsource to a container,

a. valve means in said path said valve means having at least first andsecond positions of operation comprising respectively a closed positionwherein fluid is prevented from flowing to a container and an openposition wherein fluid is allowed to flow to said container,

b. said apparatus including fluid-level sensing means responsive to thelevel of fluid in said container, said fluid level sensing means beingmovable to a plurality of positions for detecting a plurality of fluidlevels with said container, and

c. control means coupled with said valve means for controlling saidvalve means in response to fluid-level as sensed by said fluid-levelsensing means and for controlling the positioning of the sensing means,said control means comprising first means for moving said valve means toat least one of the positions thereof and comprising second meansresponsive to said fluid-level sensing means for controlling theoperation of said first means.

32. Apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said second means includes secondvalve means responsive to a pressure condition sensed by saidfluid-level sensing means for controlling the operation of said firstmeans in positioning said first valve means.

33. Apparatus as in claim 32 wherein said second valve means comprises acontrol fluid inlet and first and second control fluid outlets, saidfirst control fluid outlet being coupled with said first means, andrestriction means coupled with said ontrol fluid inlet and said secondoutlet for regulating the rate of movement of said first valve means.

34. Apparatus as in claim 33 wherein said restriction in said controlfluid inlet is settable for regulating the rate of movement of saidvalve means to said open position, and said restriction in said secondcontrol fluid outlet is settable for regulating the rate of movement ofsaid first valve means from its open position.

35. Apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said second means includes secondvalve means responsive to a pressure condition sensed by saidfluid-level sensing means, and

said second valve means comprises a control fluid inlet for receiving acontrol fluid and a control fluid outlet, said control fluid outletbeing coupled with said first means for controlling the positioning ofsaid first valve means, and

restriction means coupled with said control fluid inlet for regulatingthe rate movement of said first valve means to said open position.

36. Apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said second means includes secondvalve means responsive to a pressure condition sensed by saidfluid-level sensing means, and

said second valve means comprises a control fluid inlet for receiving acontrol fluid, and first and second control fluid outlets, said firstcontrol fluid outlet being coupled with said first means for controllingthe positioning of said first valve means, and

restriction means coupled with said second outlet for regulating therate of movement of said first valve means from its open position.

37. Apparatus for filling containers with fluid, comprising a. meansdefining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to acontainer,

a. valve means in said fluid path for filling containers, said valvemeans having a first closed position wherein fluid is prevented fromflowing to a container, a second open position wherein fluid is allowedto flow to said container, and a third position intermediate said closedand open position wherein a restricted flow of fluid is provided to saidcontainer,

b. fluid-level sensing means responsive to the level of fluid in saidcontainer, said fluid-level sensing means sensing a plurality offluid-levels in said container comprising at least a first fluid-leveland a second higher fluid-level, and

. control means coupled with and responsive to said fluidlevel sensingmeans, and coupled with said valve means for controlling the positioningof said valve means in response to fluid level as sensed by saidfluid-level sensing means, said control means comprising second valvemeans for controlling the rate of movement of said first valve means,said second valve means initially causing said first valve means to moveto its second position and being responsive to said fluid-sensing meansfor positioning said first valve means to said third position when saidfluid-level in said container is above said first level.

38. Apparatus as in claim 37 wherein said second valve means includes acontrol fluid inlet for receiving a control fluid and a fluid outletcoupled with said first valve means for controlling the operation ofsaid first valve means, and

restriction means coupled with said control fluid inlet for regulatingthe rate of movement of said first valve means to said second positionthereof.

39. Apparatus as in claim 37 wherein said second valve means comprises acontrol fluid inlet for receiving a control fluid, and first and secondcontrol fluid outlets, said first control fluid outlet being coupledwith said first valve means for controlling the operation of said firstvalve means, and

restriction means coupled with said second control fluid outlet forregulating the rate of movement of said first valve means from saidsecond position thereof.

40. Apparatus as in claim 37 wherein said fluid-level sensing meansincludes cavity means in said valve means and includes pressureresponsive means, said cavity means serving to impart a pressure changeto said pressure sensing means in response to fluid-level in saidcontainer, and said pressure responsive means being coupled with saidsecond valve means for controlling the operation thereof.

41. Apparatus as in claim 40 including third means responsive to thepositioning of a container and said first valve means in a predeterminedcooperative relationship for setting said pressure responsive means andcausing the same to activate said second valve means to cause said firstvalve means to move to its second position for initial filling of saidcontainer.

42. Apparatus as in claim 41 wherein said pressure sensing meanscomprises a manometer having an electrolyte and movable electrode, andsaid third means sets said electrode to a predetermined position uponsaid positioning of said container and said first valve means in saidpredetennined cooperative relationship, and.

said cavity of said fluid-level sensing means communicates with achamber within which said electrolyte is contained for causing saidelectrolyte to contact said movable electrode when said fluid-level insaid container reaches said first level.

43. Apparatus for filling containers with fluid, comprising 40'. meansdefining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to acontainer,

a. valve means in said fluid path for filling containers, said valvemeans having a first closed position wherein fluid is prevented fromflowing to a container, a second open position wherein fluid is allowedto flow to said container, and a third position intermediate said closedand open positions wherein a restricted flow of fluid is provided tosaid container, said valve means being controlled to move to its secondposition for initial rapid fill of said container and being controlledto move from said second position through said third position towardsaid first position for a final slower fill of said container,ultimately moving to said first position after said container is filledto a predetermined level,

b. fluid-level sensing means responsive to the level of fluid in saidcontainer and being movable in response to the level of fluid in saidcontainer, said sensing means being responsive to a first fluid level insaid container for moving said valve means from its second position, andbeing responsive to a second higher fluid-level for causing said valvemeans to ultimately move to said first position thereof while providingsaid final slower fill when the level of fluid in said container isbetween said first and second fluid levels, and

c. control means coupled with and responsive to said fluid-

1. Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure,comprising: a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable ingenerally upward and downward directions, b. filling means defining afluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a containerand including valve means in said fluid path, said valve means havingopen and closed positions, and c. control means actuated by saidfluid-level sensing means and alternately moving said tip means into itsup and down positions in response to the level of the fluid in thecontainer being filled, said control means opening said valve means whensaid valve means is closed before said fluid level has reached the levelof said tip means in its upward position.
 2. Apparatus as defined inclaim 1 including, in addition, means for partially restricting the flowof said fluid from said valve means.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1including, in addition, container-sensing means coupled to saidfluid-level sending means, said control means moving said tip meansdownward when said container-sensing means senses the presence of acontainer in position to be filled.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3in which said control means reopens said valve meanS when said tip meansis moved above the level of said fluid, provided said container-sensingmeans still senses the presence of said container.
 5. Apparatus asdefined in claim 4 including, in addition, means for regulating thespeed at which said tip means moves.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5in which said valve means can be moved into withdrawn and extendedpositions by said control means and is closed when in its withdrawnposition and open when in its extended position.
 7. Apparatus as definedin claim 6 in which said valve means can be moved, in addition, into apartially extended position by said control means, the flow of saidfluid from said valve being partially restricted when said valve meansis in its partially extended position.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim7 in which said tip means is an opening which is obstructed by saidfluid when said fluid rises in said container to the level of said tipmeans, said fluid-sensing means operating said control means as aconsequence thereof.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which saidfluid-level sensing means includes a manometer having first and secondlegs, first and second electrodes, an electrolyte, and means forinserting said first electrode into said electrolyte within said firstleg and for the withdrawal thereof.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9,including, in addition, container-sensing means coupled to said firstelectrode inserting and withdrawing means for the operation thereof whensaid valve means is in position with respect to the container to befilled.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, in which said controlmeans utilizes pressure means to move said valve means, and in which theoperation of said control means depends upon the position of said firstelectrode within said first leg.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11,in which said pressure means is a supply of air under pressure. 13.Apparatus as defined in claim 12, in which said filling means includesspout means, and in which said tip means is an opening within said spoutand is coupled to said second leg of said manometer.
 14. Apparatus asdefined in claim 13, in which said spout means includes at least oneadditional opening through which said fluid is emitted when said valvemeans is opened.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, in which saidvalve means can be moved into withdrawn, extended and partially extendedposition by said control means, and is closed when in its withdrawnposition, open when in its extended position, and partially open when inits partially extended position.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15,including, in addition, a piston fixedly coupled to said valve for themovement thereof, and a cylinder associated with said piston, saidpressure means being coupled to said piston and cylinder.
 17. Apparatusas defined in claim 16, in which said second electrode is movable and isinserted within said electrolyte when said valve means is not insertedwithin said container, and in which said control means includes athree-way solenoid air valve which shuts off said air supply when thecoil of said solenoid is electrically activated, and including, inaddition, switch means which activates said coil when said movableelectrode is inserted within said electrolyte.
 18. Apparatus as definedin claim 17 in which said inserting and withdrawing means withdraws saidmovable electrode from said electrolyte when said container sensingmeans is moved by the container to be filled as said valve means ispositioned within said container, and in which said solenoid permitssaid air to pass into said cylinder above said piston when said movableelectrode is withdrawn from said electrolyte, thereby forcing saidpiston and valve means to move downward, ''''opening'''' said valvemeans and permitting said fluid to flow from said valve and fill saidcontainer.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18, in which said fillingmeans includes spout means having a pair of O-rings and at leAst oneadditional opening therebetween.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 inwhich said filling means includes spout means having a pair of O-ringsand at least one opening therebetween.
 21. Apparatus for fillingcontainers with fluid supplied under pressure, comprising: a.fluid-level sensing means including tip means and a manometer havingfirst and second legs, first and second electrodes, an electrolyte, andmeans for making and breaking contact between said first electrode andsaid electrolyte within said first leg, said tip means being coupled toone of said legs of said manometer, b. filling means defining a fluidpath adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container andincluding valve means in said fluid path, said valve means having openand closed conditions and said filling means including spout means, saidspout means including at least one opening through which said fluid isemitted when said valve means is in its open condition, and c. controlmeans activated by said fluid-level sensing means and in responsethereto either opening or closing said valve means, the operation ofsaid control means depending upon whether or not said first electrode isin contact with said electrolyte within said first leg.
 22. Apparatus asdefined in claim 21 including, in addition, container-sensing meanscoupled to said means for making and breaking contact for the operationthereof when said valve means is in position with respect to thecontainer to be filled.
 23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 in whichsaid means for making and breaking contact between said first electrodeand said electrolyte includes means for inserting said first electrodeinto said electrolyte and for the withdrawal thereof.
 24. Apparatus forfilling containers with fluid supplied under pressure, comprising: a.fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generallydownward and upward directions, b. filling means defining a fluid pathadapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container and includingvalve means in said fluid path, said valve means having open, partiallyrestricted and closed positions, and c. control means activated by saidfluid-level sensing means and moving said tip means in said generallydownward and upward directions in response to the level of the fluid inthe container being filled, the flow of said fluid from said valve meansbeing partially restricted when said control means has moved said tipmeans to a position between its extreme downward and upward positions.25. Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure,comprising a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid froma fluid source to a container, a. fluid-level sensing means, includingtip means movable in generally downward and upward directions, b. valvemeans in said fluid path having open and closed positions, c. controlmeans connected to said fluid-level sensing means and said valve means,said control means being actuated by said fluid-level sensing means formoving said tip means in said generally downward and upward directionsin response to the level of the fluid in the container being filled andfor controlling the operation of said valve means, and d. restrictionmeans in said fluid path partially restricting the flow of said fluidfrom said valve means when said control means has moved said tip meansto a position in between said generally downward and upward directions.26. Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure,comprising a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid froma fluid source to a container, a. fluid-level sensing means, includingtip means movable in generally downward and upward directions, b. valvemeans in said fluid path having at least open and closed positions, c.control means connected to said fluid level sensing means and said valvemeans, said control means being activatEd by said fluid-level sensingmeans for moving said tip means in said generally downward and upwarddirections in response to the level of the fluid in the container beingfilled and for controlling the operation of said valve means, and d.restriction means in said fluid path partially restricting the flow ofsaid fluid from said valve means when said control means has moved saidtip means to a position in between said generally downward and upwarddirections.
 27. Apparatus for filling containers, comprising a''. meansdefining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to acontainer, a. valve means in said path for regulating the supply offluid to a container, said valve means having a closed position whereinno fluid is supplied to said container and having a plurality ofoperative positions wherein fluid is supplied to said container, b. saidapparatus including fluid-level sensing means for sensing apredetermined fluid level in said container, said sensing means beingmovable to a plurality of positions, c. control means connected to saidvalve means and to said fluid-level sensing means responsive to saidfluid-level sensing means for controlling the positioning of saidsensing means, said control means responding to said sensing means andcausing said valve means to move at least to its closed position uponthe fluid in said container reaching a predetermined level. 28.Apparatus as in claim 27 wherein said plurality of operative positionsof said valve means includes an open position for allowing a full flowof fluid into the container being filled and a restricted position forallowing a restricted flow of fluid into the container being filled, andsaid control means causes said valve means to move to its restrictedposition upon the fluid in said container reaching a first level forproviding a final slow fill of the container, and causes said valvemeans to move to its closed position upon the fluid in said containerreaching a second higher level.
 29. Apparatus as in claim 28 wherein,said control means includes second settable valve means coupled withsaid first-named valve means for regulating the rate of movement of saidfirst valve means.
 30. Apparatus in claim 27 including means responsiveto the positioning of a container and the valve means in a predeterminedcooperative relationship for setting pressure responsive means of saidcontrol means and for causing said valve means to move to a firstoperative position, said first operative position being an open positionfor rapid fill of said container, and said pressure responsive meansbeing responsive to fluid level in the container for causing said valvemeans to move from its first operative position.
 31. Apparatus forfilling containers with fluid, comprising, a''. means defining a fluidpath adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a.valve means in said path said valve means having at least first andsecond positions of operation comprising respectively a closed positionwherein fluid is prevented from flowing to a container and an openposition wherein fluid is allowed to flow to said container, b. saidapparatus including fluid-level sensing means responsive to the level offluid in said container, said fluid level sensing means being movable toa plurality of positions for detecting a plurality of fluid levels withsaid container, and c. control means coupled with said valve means forcontrolling said valve means in response to fluid-level as sensed bysaid fluid-level sensing means and for controlling the positioning ofthe sensing means, said control means comprising first means for movingsaid valve means to at least one of the positions thereof and comprisingsecond means responsive to said fluid-level sensing means forcontrolling the operation of said first means.
 32. Apparatus as in claim31 wherein said second means includes second valve means responsive to apressure condition sensed by said fluid-level sensing means forcontrolling the operation of said first means in positioning said firstvalve means.
 33. Apparatus as in claim 32 wherein said second valvemeans comprises a control fluid inlet and first and second control fluidoutlets, said first control fluid outlet being coupled with said firstmeans, and restriction means coupled with said control fluid inlet andsaid second outlet for regulating the rate of movement of said firstvalve means.
 34. Apparatus as in claim 33 wherein said restriction insaid control fluid inlet is settable for regulating the rate of movementof said valve means to said open position, and said restriction in saidsecond control fluid outlet is settable for regulating the rate ofmovement of said first valve means from its open position.
 35. Apparatusas in claim 31 wherein said second means includes second valve meansresponsive to a pressure condition sensed by said fluid-level sensingmeans, and said second valve means comprises a control fluid inlet forreceiving a control fluid and a control fluid outlet, said control fluidoutlet being coupled with said first means for controlling thepositioning of said first valve means, and restriction means coupledwith said control fluid inlet for regulating the rate movement of saidfirst valve means to said open position.
 36. Apparatus as in claim 31wherein said second means includes second valve means responsive to apressure condition sensed by said fluid-level sensing means, and saidsecond valve means comprises a control fluid inlet for receiving acontrol fluid, and first and second control fluid outlets, said firstcontrol fluid outlet being coupled with said first means for controllingthe positioning of said first valve means, and restriction means coupledwith said second outlet for regulating the rate of movement of saidfirst valve means from its open position.
 37. Apparatus for fillingcontainers with fluid, comprising a''. means defining a fluid pathadapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. valvemeans in said fluid path for filling containers, said valve means havinga first closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing to acontainer, a second open position wherein fluid is allowed to flow tosaid container, and a third position intermediate said closed and openposition wherein a restricted flow of fluid is provided to saidcontainer, b. fluid-level sensing means responsive to the level of fluidin said container, said fluid-level sensing means sensing a plurality offluid-levels in said container comprising at least a first fluid-leveland a second higher fluid-level, and c. control means coupled with andresponsive to said fluid-level sensing means, and coupled with saidvalve means for controlling the positioning of said valve means inresponse to fluid level as sensed by said fluid-level sensing means,said control means comprising second valve means for controlling therate of movement of said first valve means, said second valve meansinitially causing said first valve means to move to its second positionand being responsive to said fluid-sensing means for positioning saidfirst valve means to said third position when said fluid-level in saidcontainer is above said first level.
 38. Apparatus as in claim 37wherein said second valve means includes a control fluid inlet forreceiving a control fluid and a fluid outlet coupled with said firstvalve means for controlling the operation of said first valve means, andrestriction means coupled with said control fluid inlet for regulatingthe rate of movement of said first valve means to said second positionthereof.
 39. Apparatus as in claim 37 wherein said second valve meanscomprises a control fluid inlet for receiving a control fluid, and firstand second control fluid outlets, said first control fluid outlet beingcoupled with said first valve Means for controlling the operation ofsaid first valve means, and restriction means coupled with said secondcontrol fluid outlet for regulating the rate of movement of said firstvalve means from said second position thereof.
 40. Apparatus as in claim37 wherein said fluid-level sensing means includes cavity means in saidvalve means and includes pressure responsive means, said cavity meansserving to impart a pressure change to said pressure sensing means inresponse to fluid-level in said container, and said pressure responsivemeans being coupled with said second valve means for controlling theoperation thereof.
 41. Apparatus as in claim 40 including third meansresponsive to the positioning of a container and said first valve meansin a predetermined cooperative relationship for setting said pressureresponsive means and causing the same to activate said second valvemeans to cause said first valve means to move to its second position forinitial filling of said container.
 42. Apparatus as in claim 41 whereinsaid pressure sensing means comprises a manometer having an electrolyteand movable electrode, and said third means sets said electrode to apredetermined position upon said positioning of said container and saidfirst valve means in said predetermined cooperative relationship, andsaid cavity of said fluid-level sensing means communicates with achamber within which said electrolyte is contained for causing saidelectrolyte to contact said movable electrode when said fluid-level insaid container reaches said first level.
 43. Apparatus for fillingcontainers with fluid, comprising 40''. means defining a fluid pathadapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. valvemeans in said fluid path for filling containers, said valve means havinga first closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing to acontainer, a second open position wherein fluid is allowed to flow tosaid container, and a third position intermediate said closed and openpositions wherein a restricted flow of fluid is provided to saidcontainer, said valve means being controlled to move to its secondposition for initial rapid fill of said container and being controlledto move from said second position through said third position towardsaid first position for a final slower fill of said container,ultimately moving to said first position after said container is filledto a predetermined level, b. fluid-level sensing means responsive to thelevel of fluid in said container and being movable in response to thelevel of fluid in said container, said sensing means being responsive toa first fluid level in said container for moving said valve means fromits second position, and being responsive to a second higher fluid-levelfor causing said valve means to ultimately move to said first positionthereof while providing said final slower fill when the level of fluidin said container is between said first and second fluid levels, and c.control means coupled with and responsive to said fluid-level sensingmeans, and coupled with said valve means for controlling the positioningof said valve means as a function of the fluid-level sensed by saidsensing means.